The keyboard shortcut is temporary. For a permanent show of a specific hidden link, use Terminal.
Result: Instantly, a gray bar will slide up from the bottom of your Finder window. Congratulations—you have just shown the hidden Finder link. You can now click any of the folder names in that bar to jump instantly to that location.
To hide it again: Simply go back to View > Hide Path Bar.
If you dislike Terminal and the keyboard shortcut feels limited, use a dedicated tool.
| App | Function | Best for |
|------|----------|-----------|
| TinkerTool | Free; toggles “Show hidden files” with a GUI | Permanent preference change |
| Onyx | Extensive Finder visibility controls | Showing system links (/bin, /etc) |
| Path Finder | Finder replacement with “Show Invisibles” button | Power users who work with symlinks daily |
| Funter (by Nektony) | Shows hidden files in a separate window; can delete broken links | Discovering & managing hidden symlinks quickly |
Using Funter to show hidden links:
The command "Show Hidden Finder Link" is not a standard, built-in feature of macOS. It typically refers to one of three things:
Here is a guide on how to achieve the likely result you are looking for using each method.
If you want Library to always appear in your home folder (no Option key required), run this Terminal command:
chflags nohidden ~/Library/
Now, whenever you navigate to your User folder, you will see the yellow Library folder waiting for you.
Some macOS versions mark symlinks with a special attribute that hides them from the GUI.
Check: show hidden finder link
xattr -l /path/to/link
Remove hiding attribute:
xattr -d com.apple.FinderInfo /path/to/link
This is the quickest way to use a hidden link without showing the bar constantly.
If you use this shortcut often, you might not need the Path Bar visible at all. But for visual learners, the bar is superior.
| Need | Search / Source |
|------|----------------|
| Academic | Google Scholar: "AppleShowAllFiles" macOS or chflags hidden file |
| Forensic | SANS DFIR, Black Hat: macOS hidden files forensic analysis |
| Practical | man chflags, man defaults, or Apple TN1150 |
To show hidden files and folders in Finder on a Mac, you can follow these steps: The keyboard shortcut is temporary
Alternatively, you can also use the following method:
Note that hidden files and folders typically start with a dot (.) and are not visible by default to prevent accidental modification or deletion.
As for the "hidden link" you mentioned, I'm assuming you might be referring to an invisible or hidden file/link in Finder. If you could provide more context or clarify what you mean by "hidden link," I'd be happy to try and assist you further!
To reveal hidden files and folders in macOS Finder, you can use several native methods or third-party utilities. Hidden items are typically system files or configuration data indicated by a faded, semi-transparent icon once revealed 1. The Instant Keyboard Shortcut
The fastest way to toggle hidden files on or off in any Finder window (or on the Desktop) is a built-in shortcut: How to view files on your Mac that are normally invisible? The command "Show Hidden Finder Link" is not
"Show hidden finder" searches generally refer to either using Command + Shift + . to reveal hidden system files on macOS or downloading mobile apps designed to detect hidden cameras and spy software. While macOS tools are built-in, third-party "hidden finder" apps often feature high subscription costs and unnecessary permission requests, requiring users to exercise caution. For verified information on checking for malicious links, visit Google Transparency Report.